Diesel is a critically important petroleum
product. But our reserves of crude oil are limited. What should
we do? How do we meet the inevitable rise in prices, the possible
shortages?
You, as a fleet operator, can help save diesel till an alternative
source of energy is found.
Petroleum Conservation Research Association, have
set up model depots in several Government Transport Undertakings
where they have proved that it is possible to save about 20%
of the diesel consumption in normal fleets and over 6% in
even the best of fleets by concerted efforts. Broad approaches
to diesel conservation have been clearly identified and their
utility tested and proved in the model depot projects. Put
these proven approaches to work in your fleet too, starting
today.

Good driving the key to diesel economy

Tests carried out with 100 drivers, relating diesel consumption
to driving skills, have revealed that, if all the 100 drivers
could drive as well as the best 5, fuel savings would be over
10%.

A careless driver may cover 1000 kms on 280 Liters of diesel;
an efficient and alert driver would need only 250 Liters.
A clear saving of 30 Liters in one trip!

Are our drivers efficient?

Do you know that drivers often ignore the finer points
of driving? Perhaps unknowingly. The result? More diesel consumption
and less profits.

PCRA conducts training program for group of drivers
in major transport fleets. Their program has so far covered
over 25000 drivers. The table below indicates the percentage
of drivers in whom various driving flows were observed before
training:

No.

Reason

Percentage

1.

Overspeeding

42%

2.

Rash and rough driving

39%

3.

Sudden acceleration

30%

4.

Jack rabbit starting

12%

5.

Violent and sudden braking due to Non-anticipation
of stops

37%

6.

Gear change without double de-clutching

39%

7.

Improper gear selection

30%

8.

Clutch riding

27%

9.

Use of a clutch to hold the vehicle gradient

12%

10.

Unnecessary riding

12%

Can training improve driving habits?

A good training program helps drivers to know
the effects of good and bad driving habits, and seeks to remove
doubts about personal consequences, such as increase of travel
time additional effort required and so on. It also guides
them how to save diesel.

Some of the bad driving habits identified during Driver Training
Programs:-

Gear changing by single de-clutching or without use of
clutch.

Improper synchronization of gears and vehicle speed.

Tendency to drive in top gear in congested city traffic.

Switching off the engine while in gear.

Unnecessary idling.

Racing engine for removing crowd.

Clutch riding.

Delayed acceleration after shifting to higher gears.

Poor anticipation of curves, road obstacles and sudden
shifting to lower gears at high speeds.

Training drivers for good driving habits and maintenance
practices helps to develop a grade of good drivers and
helps to promote and propagate fuel conservation.

Field surveys conducted by PCRA have revealed
that there are number of misconceptions among drivers about
good and bad driving habits. More significantly, they were
surprised at the extent of fuel savings possible through improved
driving habits. Therefore, PCRA have developed a training methodology,
which enables the driver to see for himself the effect of
good and bad driving habits on diesel consumption.

Methodology

Day-1

Selection of about 10 KMs long suitable route.

Driving test for each driver to identify usual driving
habits and diesel consumption from calibrated tank.

Day-2

Class room session on good driving and maintenance practices.

Analysis of driving habits of each driver.

Day-3

Driving test for each driver as per the directions of
instructor and diesel consumption from calibrated tank.

Performance evaluation of drivers.

Report preparations.

The program is best organized for a batch
of 15-20 drivers. A suitable route covering city and moffusil
traffic of a distance of 10 Kms is chosen. A special Tank
with 20 Cms diameter And 60 Cms ht. Calibrated up to Â¼
liter is used. The fuel supply to the engine is taken from
this tank and the return lines go back into the tank.

The drivers are then asked to drive as per
their usual driving habits, and see for themselves the quantity
of diesel consumed. The instructor then explains to the group
how good driving habits lead to low diesel consumption for
a few drivers and how bad driving habits led to high diesel
consumption for other drivers.

The drivers are also shown two training films
on diesel economy- Â“Driving for diesel economyÂ”
and Â“Fifteen pointsÂ” (Maintenance for diesel economy)
and slides specially developed for the program. Further, lectures
are also given by the leading manufacturers and suppliers in
the heavy vehicle segment.

The drivers are now taken on the same route
again along with the instructor, who corrects driving mistakes
as soon as they occur.

The average saving noticed on such program
is 15% going up to even 40% in particularly bad cases. This
generally serves as an eye-opener for most drivers and is
remarkably effective in improving driving skills.

Motivate your drivers and monitor their performance

It would be a good idea to make an appraisal
of the driving skills of your drivers. Calculate the average
diesel consumed on the same routes by various drivers. Talk
to the careless drivers to improve their driving habits. Give
incentives or awards to good drivers. The results will be
amazing!

Eliminate smoke

Smoke is a visible indicator of poor engine
performance. Traffic surveys at several traffic centers in
the country have revealed that over 50% of our heavy commercial
vehicles emit visible levels of smoke. A truck which
visibly emits black or dark grey smoke, consumes nearly 10%
more diesel. Some transport fleets which have implemented
a program of elimination of visible smoke have recorded diesel
saving of 10%, reduction of pollution apart.

Why do vehicles smoke?

A study was conducted on a fleet which
had a program of rectifying smoking vehicles through maintenance.
Injectors were found to be defective in 60% of the cases.
Defective fuel injection pumps were responsible for smoke
in 39% of the cases and poor engine compression was noticed
in 21% of the cases. These are the three principal contributors
to smoke. The maintenance of the fuel injection system and
top engine overhaul on schedule will eliminate smoke in all
vehicles. For a typical operator, the cost of repairs and
maintenance will be recovered in a few days and at worst within
six months, due to reduced diesel consumption.

Fuel Loss at Traffic intersections

PCRA conceived a research project and entrusted
a study with Central Road Research Institute (CRRI) to estimate
the average fuel loss per day due to idling of vehicles at
all traffic intersections in Delhi. The study revealed that
the petrol/diesel wasted by vehicles every day at traffic
intersections in Delhi alone are to the tune of 3.22 lacs/1.01
lacs of Liters respectively. At the prevailing rates as of
September 1999,the total loss of fuel works out to staggering
amount of Rs. 320.22 crores per annum.

The major remedial measures suggested to reduce vehicular
delays and consequent loss of petroleum products due to idling
of vehicle:-

Installation of vehicle actuated traffic signals.

Optimization of signal cycle timings.

Synchronization of traffic signals.

Provision of adequate road geometric.

Switching off engines at re lights.

Observance of lane discipline.

Following good driving habits.

Can you afford to wait?

Start a smoke elimination program today.
If your vehicle emits smoke, check for the following defects,
one after the other, and rectify them immediately.

1) Injection should be clean and efficient.

Defective injectors lead to higher diesel
consumption. The opening pressure and spray pattern of an
injector should always be correct. This can be checked on
an injector tester. The injector must be cleaned properly
with a brass-wire brush after soaking it in kerosene. Blocked
spray holes should be cleaned with a steel wire, of correct
diameter.

2) Check fuel injection pump calibration
and mounting.

Get the pumps calibrated at a well-equipped
center. It is equally important to ensure that the calibrated
pump is mounting recommendations. This will ensure delivery
of the right quantity of fuel at the right pressure and at
the right time to each cylinder for combustion.

3) Check engine compression.

A weak engine may emit black smoke, show
poor compression pressure on a compression tester or consume
abnormal quantities of engine oil. If your engine exhibits
any of these symptoms. Have it checked and overhauled. A top
engine overhaul may be adequate in most cases. A delay can
prove more costly than you may think. And precious diesel
will keep going up in smoke.

15 Simple tips on better maintenance

1 Stop that leak at once

Loss of
one drop of diesel per second costs you over 2000 Liters
every year.

2 Avoid spillage

Check if the fuel tank cap has a good rubber
seal.

3 Correct lubricant is important

Use standard grade oil
and save up to 2% in fuel consumption.

4 Check tyre pressure regularly

Save on diesel consumption and Tyre life.

5 Dirt-your worst enemy

Check cleanliness
of air cleaner and change oil/air filter periodically.
Without an air cleaner, ring wear shoots up 115 times.

Avoid using clutch pedal
as a footrest. This causes loss of transmission and
rapid wear of clutch components. Avoid holding the vehicle
on a slope by using the clutch and accelerator-use the
hand brake instead.

Petroleum Conservation Research Association is an organization
set up by the Government of India to promote conservation of
petroleum products. Its principal objectives include the following:-

To formulate strategies and promote measures for accelerating
conservation of petroleum products.

To create awareness among masses about the importance,
benefits and methods of conserving petroleum products &
clean environment by enhancing information and capacity
building.

To promote research, development and deployment efforts
aimed at petroleum conservation & environment protection,
support & facilitate efforts for adoption and dissemination
of fuel efficient technologies and substitution of petroleum
products with alternate fields and renewable.

To establish synergistic institutional linkages at the
national & international levels in the areas of petroleum
conservation & environment protection.

To provide training and technical advisory services, designed
to achieve economy & efficiency in use of petroleum
products for cleaner environment.

To function as a Â“Think TankÂ” to the Govt.
of India for proposing policies and strategies on petroleum
conservation and environment protection aimed at reducing
excessive dependence on oil.

Get in Touch

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